as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
we need to do some preliminary research in order to properly focus the experiment
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions
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Recent Examples of preliminary
Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Treasury was expected to provide a list by October 2, 2025—the preliminary list, while not yet official, beat that deadline.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Paras J. Haji, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Today's listen Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The Scripps National Spelling Bee is celebrating its 100th anniversary this week, with preliminaries kicking off last night.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Adjective
That's not enough to build the market as the preliminary designs stand, so all parties will have to look for ways to cut costs on the building design or find other ways to fund the project.
—Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Treasury was expected to provide a list by October 2, 2025—the preliminary list, while not yet official, beat that deadline.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
Aside from this, Team USA TV will be airing preliminaries along with the semifinals of some of the artistic swimming and diving competitions.
—Paras J. Haji, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Today's listen Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The Scripps National Spelling Bee is celebrating its 100th anniversary this week, with preliminaries kicking off last night.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary
Adjective
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The Champions Trophy exit was equally passive after a dreadful showing in the preparatory bilateral series against India.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Midday Friday, the military changed course, marking the latest escalation after weeks of preparatory strikes in some of the city’s neighborhoods and calling up tens of thousands of reservists.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This is especially true when considering its journey through fickle and quick-witted Gemini, a prelude of what’s to come after its official debut on July 7 for the first time in 84 years.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
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That sweep of the Red Sox was just a prelude to six additional series for the Orioles over the season’s final six weeks that could alter the playoff picture in two different leagues.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Its speeds can match or exceed many competitors, but prices increase significantly after the introductory period.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Sign up today with coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off the regular course price of $67 (plus tax).—
Ernestine Siu,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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